Durable RFID printed fabric labels

Abstract

Durable fabric RFID labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics and other fabric-containing items, the mounting and durability being before, during or after manufacturing and processing of the items. These labels are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, while being capable of remaining on the item during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use, including washing and drying. The durable labels include an RFID inlay, a face sheet overlying a first face of the RFID inlay, and a functional adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive, overlying a second face of the RFID inlay. The face sheet can be of printable material or have indicia or be a printed face sheet. The functional adhesive can be of a moisture-resistive type. The RFID inlay can be encased within a pocket of polymeric material. A polymeric sheet reinforcement layer can be adhered to and cover all or a portion of the RFID inlay.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination of a durable label secured to a fabric item, comprising:
 a label comprising
 a radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay having a first face and a second face; 
 a thermoplastic polyurethane polymeric sheet reinforcement layer adhered to and covering the first face of the RFID inlay or a portion of the RFID inlay; 
 a face sheet overlying the polymeric reinforcement layer; and 
 a functional adhesive overlying the second face of the RFID inlay; and 
 
 the fabric item durably secured to the label via the functional adhesive. 
 
     
     
       2. The durable label of  claim 1 , further including a release layer overlying the functional adhesive. 
     
     
       3. The durable label in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the face sheet is of a printable material or has an exposed face with indicia thereon. 
     
     
       4. The durable label in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the RFID inlay is encased within a pocket of polymeric material. 
     
     
       5. The durable label in accordance with  claim 1 , where the functional adhesive is a type of hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
       6. The durable label of  claim 5 , where the functional adhesive is a one-component polyurethane-based moisture- resistive adhesive. 
     
     
       7. The durable label of  claim 6 , where the moisture resistive adhesive is curing-reactive. 
     
     
       8. A combination of a durable label secured to a fabric item, comprising:
 a label comprising
 a radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay having a first face and a second face; 
 a polymeric sheet reinforcement layer adhered to and covering the RFID inlay or a portion of the RFID inlay, the RFID inlay and reinforcement layer being encased within a pocket of polymeric material; 
 a face sheet overlying the first face of the RFID inlay; and 
 functional adhesive being a one-component polyurethane-based moisture-resistive adhesive; and 
 
 the fabric item durably secured to the label via the functional adhesive. 
 
     
     
       9. The durable label of  claim 8 , further including a release layer overlying the functional adhesive. 
     
     
       10. The durable label in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, ethylene vinyl acetate, high-density polyethylene, blends thereof, multi-layered components thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       11. The durable label in accordance with  claim 8 , where the moisture resistive adhesive is curing-reactive. 
     
     
       12. The durable label in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the RFID inlay is encased within a pocket of polymeric material. 
     
     
       13. The durable label of  claim 8 , where the thickness of the polymeric material ranges from about 0.0004 inch and 0.04 inch between about 0.005 inch and about 0.03 inch, between about 0.007 inch and about 0.02 inch, or between about 0.008 inch and about 0.01 inch.